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Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406 · Phone: (319) 398-5411 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Kirkwood Community College is a public trade and career school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, offering auto mechanic, LPN, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Kirkwood's completion rate is 43.0%, below the state average of 63.6%; median graduate debt is $12,000 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,016, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Kirkwood Community College; the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and 23.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,100 | $50,510 | $67,200 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,550 | $62,630 | $70,840 |
| Medical assistants | $36,730 | $45,480 | $48,030 |
| Dental assistants | $39,360 | $48,430 | $57,620 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,590 | $55,090 | $60,200 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $36,770 | $47,990 | $59,380 |
| Surgical technologists | $47,280 | $60,540 | $62,880 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,040 | $60,680 | $75,950 |
| Dental hygienists | $78,320 | $84,010 | $93,880 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,600 | $40,660 | $47,870 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $43,710 | $59,680 | $71,570 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $45,510 | $63,890 | $85,320 |
| Construction laborers | $38,180 | $48,490 | $58,470 |
| Machinists | $44,500 | $57,540 | $61,530 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $36,140 | $44,860 | $48,670 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Iowa (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 143 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 118 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 47 | not reported | $26,933 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 42 | $33,666 | $33,637 | $13,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 34 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 30 | $36,805 | $35,772 | $11,999 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 25 | $41,258 | $43,319 | $15,788 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | $34,704 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 19 | $33,666 | $33,637 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 19 | $33,666 | $33,637 | $13,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | $30,771 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 18 | $36,805 | $35,772 | $11,999 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 18 | $39,240 | $41,342 | $12,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 17 | $26,926 | $32,711 | $9,511 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 13 | $40,829 | $39,369 | $10,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 12 | $40,829 | $39,369 | $10,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | $30,771 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | $41,258 | $43,319 | $15,788 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 7 | $39,240 | $41,342 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | $26,933 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Kirkwood Community College is a public trade and career campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help cover costs. The college holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditors including the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and the National League for Nursing's Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation. Across its 27 program offerings, the most-completed trade programs are auto mechanic schools (147 completers), LPN/LVN programs (143), and medical assistant programs (127), within a broader set of program families spanning welding, HVAC, dental hygiene, EMT training, plumbing, and more.
Looking at outcomes, Kirkwood's overall completion rate is 43.0%, which is below the state average of 63.6% for comparable institutions. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry were $41,016, per federal data. About 23.7% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This campus may suit students interested in shorter, hands-on trade credentials in fields like automotive repair, nursing support, or medical assisting, given the program families listed, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Adult and career-changer fit cannot be confirmed beyond what is listed. To verify accreditation status and detailed federal outcome data, check with the listed accreditors directly or review the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Kirkwood offers 27 trade and career programs, with the most completers in auto mechanic schools, LPN/LVN programs, and medical assistant programs. Additional program families include welding, HVAC, dental hygiene, EMT training, plumbing, and construction trades.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Kirkwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It also holds specialized accreditation from the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and the National League for Nursing's Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Kirkwood participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
Kirkwood's completion rate is 43.0%, which is below the state average of 63.6%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,016, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Kirkwood is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state students and public accountability compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact Kirkwood directly to confirm program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation with the listed accreditors and review detailed federal outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153737.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
This is not reported for this campus in federal data; the presence of shorter, career-focused programs like medical assisting and auto mechanics may be worth discussing with the school directly.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact Kirkwood to learn what credentials each program prepares you for.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Kirkwood Community College at (319) 398-5411 or visit https://www.kirkwood.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This is not reported in the available federal data; check the College Scorecard for comparable regional schools.
Other trade and career schools in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Capri College-Cedar RapidsCedar Rapids, IA · 65% completion
- Mercy-St Luke's School of Radiologic TechnologyCedar Rapids, IA · career school
- Corridor CDL Training, INC.Cedar Rapids, IA
- ELDT Solutions - HiawathaCedar Rapids, IA
- Meeks Entry Level Driver TrainingCedar Rapids, IA
- Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA · 39% completion
- Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City, IA · 50% completion
- Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport, IA · 45% completion
See all trade and career schools in Iowa or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.